Beers of Poitou-Charentes

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Beers of Poitou-Charentes

Not surprisingly, the region of Poitou-Charentes is most commonly associated with the production of fine wines and cognac.

However, Poitou-Charentes also produces beer, most coming from micro-breweries known as brasseries which turn out the high quality product expected from the region which produces cognac.

Les Brasseurs de Bercloux

Philippe Laclie lives in the village of Bercloux, Charente Maritime. Having always had a fascination for beers, in 2002 he decided to build a microbrewery to revive the previously prosperous brewing business in the Saintonge country. He produces a variety of types from light beers to a stout, with a velvety creamy flavour.

Raised in a family producing Pineau and Cognac for 5 generations, he has created a beer known as Bercloise au Cognac. This golden coloured beer was born from the combination of the two great products and is completely original. All the beers are brewed in a traditional way: they are pure malt beers using ingredients such as hops, barley and wheat. The brewing process however is unique in that it uses the copper alembic, the famous stills of the Cognac Region.

Brasserie des Naufrageurs, Charentes Maritime

Surprisingly, there is a brewery on the island of Oléron, just off the D734. This is a farm which produces various beers in the traditional way, often using natural flavourings such a clover and honey.

The bottled beer has a picture of a donkey on the label, in recognition of the history of the island: many of the islanders were ship-wreckers. They would lead a donkey to the sea shore and place a lamp around its neck, thereby misleading - and enticing - ships which would be wrecked on shore and then easily plundered!

Brasserie de Bellefois, Vienne

Pascall Pouilly is the brasseur of the Brasserie de Bellefois brewery. Many years an amateur admirer of beer and its production, in 2003 he transformed his conventional farm into a micro industry.

• Brasserie de Bellefoi
  Tel: 05 49 58 33 50
  e-mail

Pressigny, Deux Sevres

The Pressigny microbrewery produces fine, authentic beers. The brasseur, Guy Boidron, welcomes visits.

• Pressigny
  Tel: 05 49 63 33 42
  e-mail

Article by Kate Ramsdens of Cross Channel TV